Le Grand Atelier du Midi is an exhibition in two parts split between Aix-en-Provence’s Musee Granet, and Palais Longchamps in Marseille. After long awaited reopening Longchamps reopens it’s massive doors to a gorgeous exhibition with a selection of modern art inspired by the mediterranean light…it was worth the wait! Totally « hors sujet » like...

Behind the MAMO is Ora Ito, a precocious design genius who created the buzz when he was 19. In a superbly generous move, he bought Le Corbusier Cite Radieuse‘s gymnasium and renovated it in order to turn it into an art centre: the MArseille MOdulor, with an obvious 😉 to NY’s MoMA, Marseille style. For...

Niched under ancient oak trees, the wood shed was a little ruin. Here brought back to life and to good use with the addition of a built-in bench. A welcome napping spot at the back of the garden. In front of the shed, the traditional lavender field…

On a sunny (of course!) Sunday morning, here we are on the shuttle that leads us to the much anticipated Digue du Large, a jetty off the harbour that goes out into the sea…. so love to navigate, and so loved the trip!! The free shuttle leaves from the quay between the Villa Mediterrannee...

Before: In the context of the renovation of a guest bedroom/library/tv room, this design is playing hide-and-seek: the niches allow for art book and sculpture display, while the doors enclose less decorative books, and the tv instalation. The doors hiding the tv (behind the stool on the 2nd picture) are fitted with 180d hinges...

The Fort St Jean is the XVIIth century fortress guarding the entrance of Marseille’s harbour. Unlike it’s neighbour, the fort St Nicolas on the south bank of the harbour, it has been closed to the public for several years, so it’s reopening is a blessing. Even well before the MUCEM’s inauguration, the promenade at the foot...

Gerald Passedat needs no introduction to gastronomy geeks. But in case you haven’t yet heard of him, he is the legendary chef of one of the most acclaimed restaurants in South of France, « Le petit Nice », set in a villa perched on Marseille’s coast line, La Corniche. He has been very wisely chosen to head...

Sorry, only a few pictures, was late, had to rush as I stopped by the just opened MUCEM on my way to Aix, promise will be more thorough next year…… A pick of my favourite stands in this 2013 edition of Salon Cote Sud, with much to my liking, Marseille well represented here. Rock...

Just had to be amongst the first lucky people to get in after the preview week-end in January… so here am I, on friday june 7th, 9 am…. and the Mucem kept all of it’s promises: it’s totally glorious in the sun, as it embraces the blues of the sea and the skies between it’s...

The TransHumance, a massive and poetic event including hundreds of sheep, horses, cows…and humans who are crossing the Camargue and hills of southern Provence to finally meet in Marseille, on sunday June 9th. On the way they are stopping for bivouacs here and there. As we unfortunately (damned !!!) won’t be in Marseille on the...

Part of MP2013 « Grand Atelier du midi », Picasso’s work as a ceramist is presented in the Chapelle des penitents noirs, at the top of the historic district of Aubagne. Wonderful interpretation of the antique art of ceramic, remarkable corrida scenes that seems to bring the oval plates alive (sol y sombra..), sculptures assembling various preset...

Ravel’s family business opened 1837, and is now ran by the fifth generation. The offer goes from terracota pots in classic shapes, to the designers pieces: Jean-Marie Massaud just signed the Uluru collection. It also spans all shapes and sizes, from the 10 cm herb pot, to the enormous 1m diameter pot that can safely hold...